There is no love lost between Donald Trump and Barack Obama, so when the former Democrat president took to the stage in Ohio to brand his successor an agent of “chaos and cruelty” it came as no surprise.
Yet, as Republicans desperately fight to retain control in the key state, Trump’s own actions are proving a major headwind ahead of the 3 November midterms.
The war in Iran and tariffs have raised costs for Americans across the mid-west and soured many voters’ opinions of the President.
Trump has also courted controversy, backing an attack ad from Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign which has drawn condemnation even from fellow Republicans.
With polls showing tight contests in the races for governor and the Senate, the President’s allies will be hoping his actions do not tip the scales in favour of their opponents.
Obama latest to call out controversial attack ad
While affordability remains the central issue at play in Ohio, the race for governor has become marred in controversy over an attack ad developed by Ramaswamy.
The ad features the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who accuses her daughter of being a “liar” and implies she suffers from mental health problems.
Acton has been open about her tough childhood, which included stints of poverty and alleged sexual abuse at the hands of her step-father.
She and her brother were removed from their mother’s care after their step-father was charged with rape.
The ad drew rare bipartisan criticism, including from the outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, but Ramaswamy has stood by it, with his campaign saying it would spend US$4m to broadcast it.
Trump has also lent his support, repeatedly insisting the ad has “nothing to do” with Acton’s step-father, who pled not guilty before later fleeing with his wife and remaining a fugitive until his death.
“It’s a mother speaking badly against Amy Acton and, to me, it’s very easy,” the President told reporters on Friday.
Pressed on the fact Acton has been estranged from her mother for decades, Trump replied: “I don’t care”.
Casting his ballot in Florida on Saturday, he again doubled down.
“The mother said that Amy Acton is a liar, and she’s no good. And you know what? I don’t think you can get a better reference on that,” Trump said.
Speaking at a rally in support of Acton and Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, Obama took aim at Ramaswamy for pushing ahead with the ad.
“In recent days, we’ve seen there is no line he will not cross, no low he will not sink to,” the former president told attendees.
Acton also hit out, saying: “My opponent has chosen to exploit, intentionally, my childhood to save his struggling campaign, but it’s not going to work”.
Obama took aim at Ramaswamy for pushing ahead with the ad (Photo: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)Iran war, tariffs and Trump’s unpopularity cause problems
Part of the US’ manufacturing and agricultural heartland, Ohio has been hit hard by rising costs in recent months.
The Iran war has sent fuel costs skyrocketing, with diesel prices in particular causing significant pain in a state where approximately one in every seven is employed by the agriculture sector.
Trump’s signature tariff policies have also caused damage.
Ohio’s main exports, which include aircraft and motor vehicle parts, as well as cars, require steel and aluminium to produce, two metals subject to hefty import taxes.
The President’s recent escalation in his on-again, off-again trade war with Canada has also taken a toll.
Ohio imports roughly US$1.55b worth of products a year from America’s northern neighbour, which is also the final destination for the majority of the state’s exports.
Trump’s chaotic trade policy has created major uncertainty for businesses, in addition to pushing up costs and bringing down revenues, contributing to flagging support for the President nationwide.
Approval of Trump’s performance sits at roughly 31 per cent across all US adults, according to recent polls, causing some Republican hopefuls to distance themselves from the White House.
In Ohio, though, Ramaswamy has continued to talk up his close ties with Trump, despite the President’s unpopularity.
There is evidence that approach is costing him ground, with the non-partisan Cook Political Report finding Acton held a five point lead over her Republican opponent in a recent poll.
Cook has since shifted their forecast for the governor’s race in Ohio from “toss up” to “lean Democrat,” mirroring another respected non-partisan election forecaster, Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
Meanwhile, in the Senate race, Republican candidate Jon Husted, who has been talked up by Trump for his “beautiful” appearance, is also trailing his Democrat challenger.
An average of polls by RealClear Polling has Sherrod Brown up 3.3 points in the state Trump carried by over 11 points in 2024.
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